Mark 1:9-11 "And it came to pass in those
days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in
Jordan. (10) And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the
heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
(11) And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Jesus is now about 30 years old and is going to begin His public ministry. We really know nothing of his life from the time of about 12 years old until this point. We can only speculate that He spent much time in Joseph's carpentry shop, learning the trade. On occasion, He is called the carpenter's son. I think it is safe that his hands have worked to build things from that which His voice created - the wood of trees.
The first thing that Jesus does to initiate His public ministry is to identify with the people. He goes to the River Jordan and there submits to John, the Baptist for baptism. John's baptism was one of repentance. His call to the people was "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Jesus had no need for repentance. He had no sin in His life. At the fulness of time, He would be made sin as He took upon Himself the sin of all His people. As I place myself in the thoughts of those who had submitted to baptism, I believe the people would have had even more resistance to Jesus, if He had not submitted to the same baptism as they had submitted. John did not think himself to be worthy to baptize Jesus, but Jesus insisted that this was part of His fulfilling righteousness.
As Jesus was immersed into the Jordan River and brought back up out of the watery grave, the Father sent His Spirit to Jesus to confirm: "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." What a blessing to the Son of God! We all enjoy confirmation and encouragement. It is always a pleasant thing when a parent gives encouragement to their children. God confirmed, 'You are my Son!' It seems in the text as presented in both Mark and Matthew that John the Baptist and others heard this declaration. Not only did the Father say, "you are my Son," He declared, You are my BELOVED Son! His Son was fulfilling that which the Father sent Him to accomplish. This was part of the plan of God and that plan would culminate on the cross as Jesus would lay down His life to redeem His people. What a great blessing to know and understand that Jesus, the Christ, is indeed the Beloved Son of God.
Rest in Him. Find peace in Him. Place your full confidence in Him. He loves you unconditionally.
Jesus is now about 30 years old and is going to begin His public ministry. We really know nothing of his life from the time of about 12 years old until this point. We can only speculate that He spent much time in Joseph's carpentry shop, learning the trade. On occasion, He is called the carpenter's son. I think it is safe that his hands have worked to build things from that which His voice created - the wood of trees.
The first thing that Jesus does to initiate His public ministry is to identify with the people. He goes to the River Jordan and there submits to John, the Baptist for baptism. John's baptism was one of repentance. His call to the people was "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Jesus had no need for repentance. He had no sin in His life. At the fulness of time, He would be made sin as He took upon Himself the sin of all His people. As I place myself in the thoughts of those who had submitted to baptism, I believe the people would have had even more resistance to Jesus, if He had not submitted to the same baptism as they had submitted. John did not think himself to be worthy to baptize Jesus, but Jesus insisted that this was part of His fulfilling righteousness.
As Jesus was immersed into the Jordan River and brought back up out of the watery grave, the Father sent His Spirit to Jesus to confirm: "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." What a blessing to the Son of God! We all enjoy confirmation and encouragement. It is always a pleasant thing when a parent gives encouragement to their children. God confirmed, 'You are my Son!' It seems in the text as presented in both Mark and Matthew that John the Baptist and others heard this declaration. Not only did the Father say, "you are my Son," He declared, You are my BELOVED Son! His Son was fulfilling that which the Father sent Him to accomplish. This was part of the plan of God and that plan would culminate on the cross as Jesus would lay down His life to redeem His people. What a great blessing to know and understand that Jesus, the Christ, is indeed the Beloved Son of God.
Rest in Him. Find peace in Him. Place your full confidence in Him. He loves you unconditionally.